How to Substitute Different Yarn Weights in a Knitting Pattern 

You have no idea how pleased I am that my doctorate in epidemiology can finally be used for knitting purposes, as I convert a vest pattern for my lovely lady 😀

And this is why we need to know math. Thank you for the thorough explanation.

Bless you for this in depth explanation! lol. You deserve a medal! I usually just guess and experiment to see what I like.

This video was so helpful ! I have a sweater i want to knit but wanted to do it in another yarn and this solved my issue. So i am using a 2 fine with a pattern that called for worsted so now I know how to use the yarn I want. Thank you for taking the time to explaining all this. Please don't ever delete this video I think it will help so many people, especially new knitters.

This is over a year after the video was posted. I just want to thank you for posting this. I could actually understand what you were saying AND I believe I can do this! Blessings. Happy Holiday.

this video CALLED to me and everything youre saying is music to my ears i love you ❤

This was so helpful! I'm trying to substitute from a pattern calling for super bulky down to Super Merino. I feel like I can actually do this!

Thank you SO MUCH for this video!! There were so many tips in here that I didn’t even expect or know about. I’ve been teaching myself to knit over the course of the past year & there are so many details like these that would just be impossible to know without people like you. Much appreciated 🥰💜

i can tell im about to keep this open, stab at it on my own, wish i had stayed with the video and taken your wise advice. i feel it in my bones. be right back

So glad I found your video. I haven't been able to find a video that talks about this for crochet, but this doesn't seem to be specific to knitting, so gonna try this.

OMG! Finally!🎉👍🙏 I have been looking for a video to explain this to me for so long, and I finally came upon yours today and I’m so so happy!💯😊 I can’t believe how many RU-vid videos I watched about yarn substitution- & none of them answered the question that you just did in this video! Thank you so much for this video. Thank you! Thank you thank you!

This video helped so much. I want to work on a cardigan called Folklore Cardigan where there are two versions of a certain singer's cardigan. I like lace weight and the pattern is in DK (the paid version). I think I may have to redo the pattern but I love smaller stitches and the look of machine knitted. I appreciate this a lot!

This was really great, thanks! You're very clear and obviously know what you're talking about. I'm making a bulky weight yarn poncho pattern with dk and I think it'll work now!

You have a pleasant voice and speak to your viewers not at us. Thank You!

Great video!!!! You actually explained it in words what I painstakingly learned on my own. Calculating those numbers. I used fingering and doubled it to DK. The foxtrot cardigan turned out beautifully. I had a bunch of fingering weight yarn and the pattern called for DK. And it did take a lot of math. You're awesome! And brilliant.

I am a new subscriber and absolutely love this video. I am trying to knit socks that are in fingering weight but I want to use DK yarn. I so needed this tutorial. Thank you so much ❤

THANK YOU. I'm going to crochet a blanket pattern that calls for 6wt and i want to use a 4wt yarn. I had to watch your video a couple times, with my gauge and calculator handy and IT WORKED OUT! I now know how to adjust the pattern, I'm excited to get started now. I searched and searched, you are the only one who TRULY explained the match, thanks again. 😊

Oh! It's so good to see you in a bright color again!

Thank you so much for doing all the math. I know that's not your favorite thing to do. But this does make a lot of sense and it's very helpful. Thanks Barbara.

Definitely a very informative video. The exitement then starts when I really get into substituting yarns. I also find it helps me to do a schematic of what I want to knit like you did with your example. It helps me not to overlook any of those crucial caculation. Great video for a complicated topic. And yes great top. It also colour co-ordinates with the scarf on your silent partner.

Thank you for the explanation! I have a worsted weight cable sweater pattern I really want to make, but only bulky weight yarn in my stash. It'll take a whole lot of math to figure out, but I think it'll work out in the end!

"swatches are for wussies!" LOL!!!! I couldn't resist....I read that posted somewhere and couldn't stop laughing. Excellent tutorial....thanks Barbara! I needed this video 3 yrs ago when I substituted the fiber for my husband's sweater. Worked out great until I reached the division for the raglan sleeves (too small:(. I had to do some calculation at that point to correct the problem to avoid raveling what I had already finished:) Final result was great, but now I always do the calculations for the entire sweater whenever I sub fibers. Great vid, great tips....you always wear such pretty tops!:)

As complicated as this sounds it was exactly what I needed. Thank you so very much.

Well, a light bulb just went off in my head. There are so many patterns for shrugs. I was so fixated on this particular pattern, that I didn't think about looking at other shrug patterns which do use the yarn that I have in mind which is worsted Aaron wool yarn weight 4. So I jumped into Ravelry and started looking. Lo and behold, I found one! It's a bit different from the one I had in mind, but it's just as nice.( I will still do a swatch of course!) So don't worry about replying to my question.☺☺

This is a very clear video on how to do this.

Thank you! It has been hard to find someone to explain this is a straight forward manner.

Thank you so much for this helpful tutorial Barbara x I have often wanted to change the yarn for a pattern because I have enough in one weight in my stash but the pattern I like is in another You have saved me (and my purse) so much Even my Hubster will be happy that I will be using yarn from my stash and not buying more :) Thanks again I wish you well xx

What a perfect explanation!! I have a 12ply pattern that I want to knit but I only have 10ply wool. This video has given me the confidence to go ahead and give it a try. Thx heaps.

I am considering doing a shawl in DK that calls for fingering weight. This is exactly what I needed! You explain things so clearly! Thank you. 😁💚🧶

Thank you I am excited to make hundreds of swatches of rounds. I have never knitted before, but thanks to you I found the perfect starting place for my beanie designs. Barbara and any one else, If you are interested in my studies I can link youto my workshop website where I will place information eventually. Thank you so much!

You did an amazing job explaining this and I got it all. Still not gonna do it, but I get it!

As always, truly excellent video! Question: when substituting the yarn, should I use the recommended knitting needle size in the pattern or the suggested knitting needle size for the yarn I am substituting? Before I can knit the gauge swatch, I need to know which needle size I should use, to achieve gauge. Therefore, if I am going from worsted yarn weight (which the pattern calls for) to DK weight, should I use the needle size recommended in the pattern or the recommended sizer the DK weight yarn label suggests? Thank you very much 🤗🧶

Thank you for your informative tutorial. I am doing the swatch now and I will revisit after I have got gauge. I would like to knit a Sweater that is for DK weight yarn but I would like to use Sport weight yarn. We shall see what happens. Thank you for your help.

Clearest description I’ve found, many thanks.

You have good timing, cuz I was trying that this week. Lol! So Thanks for the information. Btw I like your blouse, its pretty and that color looks good on you.

Thank you for your video. I have done substitutions between DK and worsted. I actually like doing the math involved. I'm weird that way.

Great job explaining. God bless you. It all made sense and I can now appreciate the difficulty of this concept. Thank you.

I think I would consider myself an intermediate knitter...depending on what type of knitting I'm doing. I >just< finished a shawl that is lace knitting and in this genre I am a rank novice! But I saw a picture of this pattern...gasped...had to "be still my heart"...searched for THE right yarn/color for a few months...purchased it and could NOT wait to get started. I determined to take it slow so that I did it right. ...got about 20 rows in and realized I'd not done something right...ripped it all out. Fixed whatever the issue was and it was looking really good. (whew!) Took me a few weeks to get 'er done...and it's not as big as I wanted. This morning I pulled up the full pattern...and figured out the size I was wanting was for Aran weight...I used DK weight cotton. (face palm!) I googled and found you video! THANK YOU! It's also made me think: this pattern is done in repeated patterns of 12 stitches. So...right now at this point in time...I am seriously thinking of getting my finished project (that's going to be my swatch)...figuring my stitches per inch ...and then figuring everything from what the pattern states is stitches per inch for the Aran weight. But also ... I'll have to take into account the 12 stitch repeated pattern: cast on will have to allow for that, as well. If I can figure all this...then I'm most likely going to rip out the entire shawl...and do it...again. The shawl is, indeed beautiful...but not what I wanted. The pattern took my breath away...so it's just gotta be done right. My usual M.O. is ..."Meh...it'll do." But I'm trying to get out of that and make what >I< want...and do it right. YOU, my dear lady...have just helped me immensely! Again, thank you for seeing the need and filling it. ...by the way, count me as a New Subscriber! Love and blessings to you, M'am. Edit: the pattern of which I'm speaking is "Wings for Nightbird" and it is on Ravelry as a free pattern.

My high school chemistry teacher taught us to figure out fractions by units: sts/in x in = sts, for example. This fractions trick has been one of the most useful things I ever learned! And here we are again. THANK YOU for this video!

You think you've seen all the stunning patterns out there, then this comes along!

Your voice is so pleasant and soothing.

Thank you so much for your explanation on this, Barbara! Now I gotta revive my math skills for the vest project. :(

GOOD step-wise, logical, concise explanation. Thank you.

I’m so happy I finally found this video! Once you explained it so clearly it made so much sense. I’m going to try converting a simple sweater pattern from worsted to DK!! 😁 Thanks so much for making this!!

Thank you. Most yarn substitution-how-to videos only discuss the same yarn weight. A project I'm doing required Sport Yarn but I only have Sock/Fingering Yarn and I'm going insane because that glove is something that's gonna be used for the body so it needs to be accurate😅😄 I just figured maybe I'll judt add 2 more stitches

Thank you, loved your tutorial 🧶. I’m definitely not up to figuring all this math🤪. I’ll use what is designed for the pattern. But it’s all good information, thank you for explaining it. 💓

Barbara, thank you so much for explaining this a little more clearly. It was such a help.

Absolutely brilliant information. Knitted a lovely toque for my daughter in law and it was too big. Of course the yarn she then chose for a new hat had no relation to the pattern. It was a bulky yarn, lovey Lambs Pride from my stash but the pattern is worsted. Because of your instructions I am well on the way to a successful gift. I have subscribed and look forward to learning more from your clear and helpful videos. Wishing you success and health and safety in the coming year. 🤗 fromCanada.

Hi Barbara, Thank you so very very much for this tutorial and education on substituting yarn - something that I always have to do since I can't always buy the same yarn recommended in the pattern. Your video is so helpful and necessary for a good outcome! I instantly "liked", "shared" and "subscribed" (LSS) to your channel.... thank you once again. Looking forward to more videos from you.🥰

Awesome explanation for yarn weight substitution, thank you!

Thank you very much for this video! Easy to follow and straight to the point 🌷👍

1) this was so helpful! 2) loving your Baby Groot figuring! 3) I LOVE your hair! I wish I can get my curly mane to do that

If I could like this 3 x infinity I would this is sooooo helpful and seems to be the only video that can help with this

Thank you!

Thank you, Barbara. That was enlightening.

This is amazing thank you so much for the info. I am new to knitting and I am trying to knit my first sweater but I do not have the yarn that the pattern cost for so I really wanted to know if I can just do a DK Tupe of yarn or find something similar and this really helped out. Thank you so much cannot wait to do my first sweater.

Excellent explanation - especially on working a sweater - and all the various dimensions and changes that have to be made. Thank you! Seems easier to find the closest yarn in my book :-D

Super interesting video, even though I'm not so adventurous to try it! However, I do the reverse for Japanese patterns! :) I'm larger than the "standard" Japanese lady, so I need to adjust the patterns. Thankfully, they rarely have shaping and it's quite easy to do, but I realized that it's much easier to actually find a yarn that will allow me to knit the same number of stitches as the pattern says, but get a size that fits me. So, say, the pattern would give me a sweater that's 80 cm of bust with 130 stitches, and I need 100 cm of bust, I do the math to find how many stitches per 10 cm I need to knit so that 130 stitches gives me 100 cm. And I find a yarn that fits that swatch - and just follow the pattern as is!

I get too hot in knitted items that are thick so I prefer to use fingering yarns. I re-figured a cable top from DK / sport weight yarn to fingering. I had to double the number of cable repeats across the top half of the back and fronts. I also changed the needle size down to 1.5 from a US#3 when I got to the cables. This whole process involved a lot of frogging but I am almost done and very happy with the results so far. I should join your facebook page so I can show pictures.

Thank you so much for this, Barbara! Is there any way to figure the change in yardage that a weight change would create? Or best to do the swatch, figure the yardage of the swatch, and multiply it back out for the whole piece? Thanks!!

Super helpful, thank you!!

This suggestion is so so useful! Thank you! I'm using this method with a linen fiber and it works so well!

Thank you. Your explanation helped me figure out my conversion. 🙏🏼

super informative - thanks!

Love your video... I have decided to look for another pattern..... Just found you and will check out your other vids. Thank you so much...

Wow this is incredible. Will this formula work with crochet as well?

Very good video. True, a bit complicated but worth it, if you’re game! And I never knew 2 strands of fingering is DK weight! Go figure! Where have I been for the past 5 years I’ve been knitting? Thank you for this. 😊

Thank You So much for this info. It's really helpful!!! Love you tutorials and videos!

Thanks for the video! I have been wondering how to do this! Great job explaining it!

I’m going to convert from a chunky to a dk. I don’t want to double the yarn because it will affect the print. It’s a child size drop sleeve pullover with no shaping other than the arm decreases and neck shaping and a hood. Wish me luck!

I've done the math and managed to change a pattern for my new weight.. what I find I am not sure on doing is looking at my stash and not wanting to resort to guessing whether i will have enough... its probably a math/swatch formula.. but I'm a hands on learner and if you have a formula I can run with it. thank you, will look for you on Ravelry too.

Thanks for the information!

I was thinking of using a heavier yarn and larger needles and just knitting a medium when I would normally knit the large. I do this when crocheting slippers and it works. Curious to trying with a grament.

Excellent thanks Barbara

Thank you. Gives a good basic explanation

Thank you Barbara. Great video explaining the difficulties involved. Gives me lots of thinking now s I had planned on trying to change the yarn for a pattern hmmmmm maybe I'll be brave and try it, heck I can only rip it out if it goes wrong! Not the end of the world. xxJane

Thank you for all of your help! I need a little more help with yarn substitution for a hat that calls for a chunky yarn but I want to use a Lion Wool-Ease, which is a bulky weight yarn. Can you offer some additional advice? Please and thank-you. Janice D.

Thank you so much ! I have been struggling with this a bit😄

Thank you Barbara , it's very helpful

Wonderful explanation 👏 Thank you 😊

Thank you so much

This was so incredibly helpful! Thank you so much!!

Thank you Barbara!!! As usual you made it funny too!!

MATH: Lol I suffer with dyscalculia. So I just wing it. A hat will fit someone along the line. Love you & your channel. You have some good content and you are not stuck up or stuffy like some on here. Take Care x

This video helped me. Thank you.

You are so awesome! Thank you for this!

Wonderful video! I understand the math with adjusting gauge. My question, the pattern I want to do calls for 2376yds worsted weight, the yarn I want to use is chunky, which I have 1040yds. Before I do all conversion math for gauge. How can I calculate if I have enough chunky yarn?

Thank you so much for sharing this video. If I double a lace yarn will it be a fingering weight? And if I have a yarn of acrilic blend with cotton and merino yarn can I make a sweater in it?

Dear Barbara, Thank you so much for your work. I have a pattern I love that calls for lace + light fingering held together = fingering. I would like to use the yarn lace + fingering = something similar to DK. I get gauge when I use the needles recommended. However, the fabric is too dense for me, and I prefer the looseness going up. 5 in needle size. Question: Is it possible to just knit a small size with the bigger needles and hope for the best? This a positive ease oversize pattern.

Exactly what I wanted. THANK YOU!!

For a sweater this is very easy if you use Custom Fit. It calculates everything for your sweater.

Thanks for this. I love love love fingering weight yarn. There are not enough patterns written for that. 🤣♥️

Are you using the same size needle the pattern calls for with the lighter weight yarn? I’m going from super bulky to bulky. It’s an Afghan so I’m thinking it’s not tragic but… your explanation was so easy!!

Thank you so much! I was able to use your video to adjust my gauge for a sweater I’ve been wanting to make! The pattern I’m using is decreasing stitches when making the collar so I’m wondering how would I calculate the number of stitches to knit/decrease for the collar with a new yarn weight?

Explained very well. A lightblub went off for me!! Love your videos! 💓 Do you have any idea if I use thiner or thicker yarn how I can estimate the amount of yardage I would need? 💓 Thanks,,,,Vicki

Thank you for sharing

Question: Would needle size stay the same or should that be proportionally cut down?

Thankyou Barbara. After reading the comments from many obviously experienced knitters, I think my question may seem very basic. I wish to knit a Sport weight pattern in a DK weight yarn. So do I knit my swatch on the size needles listed on the DK ball band? Or on needles that give me the gauge stated in the pattern (for Sport)? I'm sorry for such a basic question but would appreciate your help. Thankyou kindly.

Thank you so much!!

You are so smart! Enjoyed trying to follow you and take notes!! Made a simple sweater pattern with 7 balls of 50 gram/109 yds of "DK" yarn, totaling 763 yards Wanted to make same sweater in "Lace" yarn that was 50 gram/459 yds. After doing swatch with the Lace, I found using 5 strands together of lace equaled the 2 strands of DK But I bought way too much lace. (8 skeins) I did some math, but I'm not sure. 763 yds with 2 strands of DK or 381 yds with 1 strand of DK With 5 strands of Lace, 381 yds x 5 strands = 1,905 yds. So 1,905 yds. divided by 459 yds = 4.15 skeins. or 5 skeins Does this sound right? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.